Estrogen deprivation is considered responsible for many age-related processes, including poor wound healing. Guided by previous observations that estradiol accelerates re‑epithelialization through estrogen receptor (ER)‑β, in the present study, we examined whether selective ER agonists [4,4',4''-(4-propyl [1H] pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)‑trisphenol (PPT), ER‑α agonist; 2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile (DPN), ER‑β agonist] affect the expression of basic proliferation and differentiation markers (Ki‑67, keratin‑10, ‑14 and ‑19, galectin‑1 and Sox‑2) of keratinocytes using HaCaT cells. In parallel, ovariectomized rats were treated daily with an ER modulator, and wound tissue was removed 21 days after wounding and routinely processed for basic histological analysis. Our results revealed that the HaCaT keratinocytes expressed both ER‑α and ‑β, and thus are well-suited for studying the effects of ER agonists on epidermal regeneration. The activation of ER‑α produced a protein expression pattern similar to that observed in the control culture, with a moderate expression of Ki‑67 being observed. However, the activation of ER‑β led to an increase in cell proliferation and keratin‑19 expression, as well as a decrease in galectin‑1 expression. Fittingly, in rat wounds treated with the ER‑β agonist (DPN), epidermal regeneration was accelerated. In the present study, we provide information on the mechanisms through which estrogens affect the expression patterns of selected markers, thus modulating keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation; in addition, we demonstrate that the pharmacological activation of ER-α and -β has a direct impact on wound healing.

Creation of wear resistant boride layers on selected steel grades in electric arc remelting process

This article deals with studying the relationships among the chemical composition, microstructure and properties (hardness, micro-hardness, wear resistance) of powder additives based on NiCrBSi after their deposition. Tested materials reached a relatively wide range of hardness after deposition, which corresponds to their chemical composition and microstructure. The abrasive wear resistance of materials was tested on an emery cloth. The results indicate that both the hardness and abrasive wear resistance of tested materials depend especially on the content of carbon and chromium. Microstructural analysis indicates that the structure of tested materials is formed by the γ-Ni solid solution and intermediate phases based on boron, silicon and carbon. Those mostly form eutectics (three types), or are excluded by precipitation. There was also found a significant effect of chromium, but especially carbon content on the ratio between the solid solution and eutectics in the microstructure of tested materials. These different ratios of solid solution and eutectics were markedly reflected in micro-hardness behaviours in deposited layers. Micro-hardness values confirmed also the presence of carbidic particles in the layers with carbon content higher than 0.7 wt%.

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